There is perhaps no better example of the changes afoot in examining the new-look Tennessee Titans offense than with the running back position.
The Titans have had their share of star running backs during Titans portion of the franchise history, including Eddie George, Chris Johnson and Derrick Henry. Throw in a LenDale White, Travis Henry and DeMarco Murray for shorter stints, and the list of backs to have been featured pieces of the Titans offense has been impressive.
So what to make of the Titans new arrangement that will feature Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears as a tandem and running much less between the tackles than Titans fans have become accustomed.
For one thing, the touches – carries and pass receptions – will likely be split about 50/50, something that has rarely been the case for this franchise. Even when Johnson and White were “Smash and Dash,” Johnson wound up with about 50 more rushes and nearly 500 more yards than White in 2008.
So, how will Brian Callahan handle splitting the reps between his two running backs?
“Generally speaking, you try to find – when you go into a game, you highlight a handful of plays that they like. They’re both different style runners. Tyjae has plays that he likes, Tony has plays that he likes,” Callahan says. “And so you sort of star those plays and you put their names on them and so, when you call those, you make sure that they get those carries that they feel good about.
“So that’s how you naturally split the labor in the running back room.
“And then, sometimes when a guy starts feeling it, you can see a guy feel it, you just keep giving it to him. Keep giving him opportunities to carry it. We’re going to use those guys plenty, all across the formation, in the pass game and in the run game.”